At Sysco, we offer our associates the opportunity to grow personally and professionally, to contribute to the success of a dynamic organization, and to serve others in a manner that exceeds their expectations.
We are looking for a talented, hard-working individual to join our team as a Produce Specialist in Denver, CO.
As the Produce Specialist you are responsible for managing the growth and profitability of the Produce Category by utilizing the resources of Merchandising, Sales, and Marketing to achieve pre-established results.
The ideal candidate will use their produce experience to work with our current customers by conducting thorough business reviews as well as establishing a strategic, focused approach for prospecting for account penetration, lost business and account fortification by utilizing customer service activities consistent with Sysco’s Vision and Mission and Sysco’s Code of Ethics.
Come grow with us and let us show you why good things really do come from Sysco.
- Minimum of 5 years’ experience in produce.
- U.S.D.A produce specification experience.
- College degree preferred.
- Fluency in both English and Spanish is highly preferred.
- Knowledge of marketing principles, necessary inter-department communications related to certain sales, credit, and customer service activities.
- Must possess a safe food handling certificate.
- Solid knowledge of branded and unbranded perishable products, including package size and pricing. Shipping and sales techniques of both branded and unbranded perishable products,
- Must have the ability to communicate and speak effectively before large groups and write routine reports and correspondence.
- Good working knowledge of food service sanitation procedures, including HACCP and ServSafe principles.
- Extensive knowledge of sales and merchandising principles, food sales industry, street/territory and program sales, product lines sold in the foodservice industry, program development and management, management principles including developing objectives, projecting and managing under a budget.
- Must possess excellent interpersonal, communication, business writing, grammar and verbal communication skills.
- Must be able to manage the pressures and stress associated with a deadline-oriented atmosphere and customer service issues.
- Travel Percentage up to 25%
- Works with management to develop and submit an annual business plan to include annual training, brand marketing efforts & sales goals; leads and oversees implementation of business plan.
- Work with key sales staff (national accounts, health care, etc.) to develop new sales categories.
- Work with DSMs and sales team to develop a target customer list to focus sales efforts and identify opportunities to fully penetrate item sales per account.
- Develop and implement product-aging programs to meet minimum guidelines.
- Establish product separation procedures and labeling, and monitor the implementation of standard operating procedures.
- Schedule in-depth training sessions with new sales team members to familiarize them with the produce category, brands, selling techniques and more.
- Conduct regular cutting tests and product comparisons to foster additional sales.
- Conduct quarterly training sessions/review meetings with DSM team to solidify their brand and product knowledge.
- Work with the Marketing department to develop and implement marketing plans and programs to include; advertising, public relations and customer outreach programs.
- On-going, periodic checks to ensure all product labeling and separation guidelines are adhered to.
- Monthly review and crosscheck of compliance reports to ensure all products purchased and sold are accurately represented.
- Clear and accurate representation of the compliance commitment and expectations associated with restaurant licensing.
- Performs all other duties as assigned.
